Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with severe eye inflammation improves on combined steroid
By Romaneck, Amanda K & Sebbag, Lionel·Published in Frontiers in veterinary science·2021·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Case Report: Clinical Remission in a Cat With Severe Bilateral Eosinophilic Keratitis Receiving Combined Immunosuppressive Therapy (Triamcinolone Acetonide and Tacrolimus).
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat was brought in for severe eye problems, specifically painful keratitis (inflammation of the cornea) that had lasted for 10 months and didn’t improve with previous treatment. The cat was given a combination of medications, including an injection of triamcinolone (a steroid) and topical treatments with tacrolimus and ciprofloxacin. Within just 24 hours, the cat showed significant improvement in comfort and vision. After a series of follow-up visits, the keratitis was nearly completely resolved, and the cat remained healthy without any recurrence of the condition for a year.
People also search for: cat eye problems treatment · eosinophilic keratitis in cats · triamcinolone for cat eye issues
Abstract
A 2-year-old domestic shorthair cat was examined for severe keratitis of 10 months duration, non-responsive to 0.1% dexamethasone q8-12h. Patient and owner compliance were poor given ocular discomfort and hiding behavior. On presentation, both eyes (OU) had severe ulcerative keratitis that masked examination of deeper structures and resulted in absent menace response OU. Corneal cytology was consistent with eosinophilic keratitis (EK) OU. Initial therapy included subcutaneous triamcinolone acetonide injection (0.2 mg/kg), 0.3% ciprofloxacin OU q12h, and two compounded drugs started 5 days later upon receipt: 0.5% tacrolimus OU q6h, 0.5% cidofovir OU q12h. Visual behavior and ocular comfort were reportedly much improved within 24 h. At the first recheck (Day 11), patient and owner compliance were reported to be excellent, menace response was positive OU, and keratitis was dramatically reduced OU with absent fluorescein uptake. Subcutaneous triamcinolone acetonide was repeated (0.2 mg/kg), ciprofloxacin was discontinued, cidofovir was continued q12h, and tacrolimus was slowly tapered (q8h × 3 weeks then q12h). Keratitis was nearly 100% resolved at the second recheck (Day 38); cidofovir was discontinued and tacrolimus was slowly tapered (q12h × 1 week, q24h × 4 weeks, q48h × 4 weeks) then discontinued. A third recheck (Day 101) confirmed clinical remission OU, and disease did not reoccur within a 1 year follow up period (photographic documentation by owner). In sum, adjunct use of triamcinolone acetonide greatly improved therapeutic compliance and helped control severe EK in a rapid and effective manner.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33996955/